State budget cuts have trickled down to the San Diego State football program in many noticeable ways -- fewer secretaries, trainers and equipment managers.

With even more possible cuts on the way for the California State University system, head coach Rocky Long has a word for it: “Scary.”

He’s not just talking about how it affects his team. He’s referring to the overall situation facing the university and its students, who recently had their tuition increased by 12 percent to help make up for state funding cutbacks.

Long arrived at SDSU in early 2009, when the football office had three secretaries.

“We have one now,” Long said. “We had two full-time equipment guys. We’ve got one now. We had two full-time trainers. We’ve got one.”

Long said academic support staff for athletics has been cut, too, from 16 tutors and mentors to six. One possible side effect of that is this: Last year, SDSU had six football players who had academic issues going into summer school. This year, that number was 15, Long said, though most since have succeeded in their efforts.

The bright side of the picture for SDSU is that the Aztecs have improved on the field despite the cutbacks. For example, last year the football team won its first bowl game since 1969 even after the athletic department had cut 25 full-time and 12 part-time positions for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

But challenges remain. Last year, the state general fund contributed $6.9 million to SDSU's $32 million athletics budget, which also includes about $10 million in revenue from student fees. This year, the general fund's allocation to SDSU athletics is projected to be $5.7 million. Additionally, about $100 million in mid-year cuts could be on the way for the CSU system if the state fails to rake in $4 billion in projected increased revenues, according to SDSU.

Lindley’s summer: SDSU quarterback Ryan Lindley spent part of his summer at Pepperdine University as a camp counselor for Nike’s Elite 11 high school quarterback event. He was joined there by Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins, Boise State QB Kellen Moore, Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden and Florida State QB E.J. Manuel.

“We worked out a little bit, but for the most part it was just us kind of helping kids out,” Lindley said.

Rocky’s play-calling: Long had planned to have one of his assistant coaches call the defensive plays this year instead of himself. But he decided not to, mostly because he likes doing it so much himself.

“It’s hard to give it up when it’s part of you, part of your personality,” Long said.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise. As head coach at New Mexico from 1998 to 2008, Long called the defensive plays for all but his first two years, when his defensive coordinator, Bronco Mendenhall, was given the task. Long eventually took that duty away from Mendenhall, but not because Mendenhall wasn’t doing the job correctly.

“I missed it,” he said.

All systems go: SDSU opens preseason practice Monday with several players returning to action after suffering season-ending injuries last year. Long said tight end Alston Umuolo (hip), defensive back Dey Juan Hemmings (ankle) and linebacker Jake Fely (lacerated liver) are ready for practice.